dbrannon79
I'm getting there!
Hey guys I started talking about what I think is a possible steering problem on my truck in another of my threads, so a started a new thread here. So here goes...
I bought this truck a little over a year ago, when I got it, it had all kinds of power steering leaks. At the same time the steering was a little tougher than I thought was normal to steer plus the brake pedal was also stiffer than what I was used to, but this is my first truck that has a hydro boost and that is a diesel so I just figured it will feel different than a gas 1/2 ton pickup. to give an example of how the brake pedal feels is I get so used to it and when I get into my wife's car and everyone that doesn't put their seat belt on gets to kiss the windshield lol
anyway, throughout a period of about 6 months, Ive replaced the steering gear three times, the booster twice, and the PS pump twice all due to them leaking (warranting the other out). something I do remember on the booster was the OE one had a little tube on it jumping from one port to another on the top that the one I have now doesn't have, not that that is important. And I did get these parts from the local auto parts house before I knew better than to get remanufactured units. all the while replacing these parts, the leaks are now stopped but the steering and brake pedal stiffness hasn't changed a bit.
I know this is a long bed 4 door heavy pickup and it's got 265-75-16 tires on it so sure it's gonna take a little more work from the PS pump to make the tires turn. but to me it just doesn't feel like it should.
another thing I noticed just yesterday is that I had gone into town, parked in a parking lot and shut off the engine while I still had my foot on the brake pedal, as soon as the engine was off the pedal sank to the floor with the weight of my foot! I did release it, came back up, tried pressing the pedal again with the engine off and it was hard and stiff as I would expect without the motor running.
I don't have access to a PS pressure tester or flow meter but I'm really not sure if these trucks are just the way they are or there is something possibly not up to par like the PS pump not having enough flow.
I've been doing a lot of reading in several forums trying to find info on this sort of problem and discovered that apparently GM made a P185 pump for heavy duty applications. but by application for mine shows the P135 pump. the only difference that I can find online between the two is the end cap on the back side of the pump is ether concave or convex having larger internals. both of the ones I've replaced were concave. not that this has anything relevant to my truck, I might be barking up the wrong tree here.
with the symptoms I am seeing and seem not to feel right, I wanted to inquire on others who drive these 1 ton mile long rigs and see how their steering and braking compare to what I'm seeing and to how a smaller 1/2 ton pickup is. frankly you can but it's harder to steer it with one hand let alone try a slight turn on the highway with your fingers. I know the PS pump is working because you really have to use both arms and body weight to steer with out the engine running lol
other things Ive done that relate to steering and brakes, I have already completely rebuilt the front suspension ( 2WD ) and replaced all the front and rear brakes.
below is a couple of photos of what my original booster looked like and the reman one I have now looks like. notice on the first photo there is a tiny bypass pipe that my OE one had and the reman unit doesn't. could this missing piece be part of my problem?
I bought this truck a little over a year ago, when I got it, it had all kinds of power steering leaks. At the same time the steering was a little tougher than I thought was normal to steer plus the brake pedal was also stiffer than what I was used to, but this is my first truck that has a hydro boost and that is a diesel so I just figured it will feel different than a gas 1/2 ton pickup. to give an example of how the brake pedal feels is I get so used to it and when I get into my wife's car and everyone that doesn't put their seat belt on gets to kiss the windshield lol
anyway, throughout a period of about 6 months, Ive replaced the steering gear three times, the booster twice, and the PS pump twice all due to them leaking (warranting the other out). something I do remember on the booster was the OE one had a little tube on it jumping from one port to another on the top that the one I have now doesn't have, not that that is important. And I did get these parts from the local auto parts house before I knew better than to get remanufactured units. all the while replacing these parts, the leaks are now stopped but the steering and brake pedal stiffness hasn't changed a bit.
I know this is a long bed 4 door heavy pickup and it's got 265-75-16 tires on it so sure it's gonna take a little more work from the PS pump to make the tires turn. but to me it just doesn't feel like it should.
another thing I noticed just yesterday is that I had gone into town, parked in a parking lot and shut off the engine while I still had my foot on the brake pedal, as soon as the engine was off the pedal sank to the floor with the weight of my foot! I did release it, came back up, tried pressing the pedal again with the engine off and it was hard and stiff as I would expect without the motor running.
I don't have access to a PS pressure tester or flow meter but I'm really not sure if these trucks are just the way they are or there is something possibly not up to par like the PS pump not having enough flow.
I've been doing a lot of reading in several forums trying to find info on this sort of problem and discovered that apparently GM made a P185 pump for heavy duty applications. but by application for mine shows the P135 pump. the only difference that I can find online between the two is the end cap on the back side of the pump is ether concave or convex having larger internals. both of the ones I've replaced were concave. not that this has anything relevant to my truck, I might be barking up the wrong tree here.
with the symptoms I am seeing and seem not to feel right, I wanted to inquire on others who drive these 1 ton mile long rigs and see how their steering and braking compare to what I'm seeing and to how a smaller 1/2 ton pickup is. frankly you can but it's harder to steer it with one hand let alone try a slight turn on the highway with your fingers. I know the PS pump is working because you really have to use both arms and body weight to steer with out the engine running lol
other things Ive done that relate to steering and brakes, I have already completely rebuilt the front suspension ( 2WD ) and replaced all the front and rear brakes.
below is a couple of photos of what my original booster looked like and the reman one I have now looks like. notice on the first photo there is a tiny bypass pipe that my OE one had and the reman unit doesn't. could this missing piece be part of my problem?